Hand-operated oscillating and laterally moving cutter



`lune 3, 1952 G. J. zwlr-:sLER 2,598,873

HAND-OPERATED oscILLATING AND LATERALLY MOVING CUTTER Filed Feb. 24, 1947 FIGJ.

FIGB.

Patented June 3, 1952 oFF- rcs -HAND-OBERAIED 'O SCILLATING AND LATERALLY MOVING CUTTER George kzwiesler, Davisburg, Mich.

ApplicationFebruary 24, 19.47, Serial N- .739,450

1-81Claims. l

Thepresent Vinvention relates ,to ahand mower and more particularly to amower useful in trimming grassor thejlike.

It is an vobject `of the present invention to prov idea mower of the type describedcharacterized bythe shearing action between cuttingelements thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mower of the type having novel mechanism for .supporting relatively movable .comb and bladeelements thereon.

It is a further object of the Apresent invention to provide a mower of the type employing a plurality .of pivoted blades movable over xed comb elements constructed and .arranged to provide a motion .between the blades vand comb elements generallylongitudinal of the cutting blades.

.It ,isa feature of rthe present invention to provide, in a .mower of the type described, a plurality of -pivotedandslidably mounted cutting blades in conjunction with a toggle bar connected to all of saidcutting blades and constrained tomove only in anarcuate path of relativelyshort radius.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as lthe description proceeds, especially when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is va plan elevation of the -functional portion of the hand mower;

Figure v2 isa side .elevation of the structure illustrated in Figure 1;

-lig'ure .3 ,isa fragmentary enlarged section on theline 3-.3 of Figure 1;

Figure v,4 is -a fragmentary enlarged section on the line 4--4 of Figure '3 pand .Figure 5 is `an enlarged fragmentary 4section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings, the mower comprises a base I0 to which is rigidly secured -a handle Il. At the rear of the base I0 are provided a pair of brackets I2 between which is pivoted a supporting roller I3 which may conveniently be formed of wood.

`lrojecting forwardly `from the front edge of the base' .I0 are a .plurality of comb blades I5. Associated with thecomb blades .I5 are a lplurality of cutter blades -I6,.each of which is mounted for pivotal and sliding movement relative to the base I0. 'Ihe upper edge of the comb blades I5 is preferably slightly hollow ground and thecutting blades I 6 haveground cutting edges, as indicated at II, whichare slidable over the ,hollow ground y topedges-of thecombs I5 toeffect a cutting-action inconjunction therewith.

)In (the zpresentcase novel .means .areemplQyed for supporting pthe cutting Ablades nrigidly at the forward edge of the base and at Ithe Sametime securing lthe cutting blades I6 adjacent the l'forward edge `of A'the base YI l! vfor pivotal andsimultaneous sliding movement ywith respect thereto. The top rear corners of the combs I5 la-re;received in slots lprovided at the'forward edge of the base I0, these slots 'being indicated .at-,120 in 'Figure -1. Intermediate the slots 2U-and spaced eguallyffrom adjacent slots area plurality of :openings 42 I which are best'seen inFigure 5. The'combs I- ti'arelprovided Vwith *pairs of 'aligned openings `I22 through which are passedlocating v pins 23 kin a relation# ship best illustrated in Figure 3. `1n `order 'to clamp the locating :pins -23 rmly in position against :the under surface of'theforward'edge of the ibase I'0,"there .is provided a'clamping plate L'25 having openings 26 Aformed therein in alignment with the openings 2| formed'in'pthelbase 10. All internally threaded 'hollow sleeve '28 is provided, the lower end of which v engages 'theupper Surface of the base IUsurrounding `the openings 2|, .and a clamping bolt passes upwardly throughethe clamping .pilate125 .and is ,threaded within the interior of `the sleeve.28. It willbe apparent that thus a rigid. clamping force 'is applied to `the loeatingpins Z3 by the clamping .platel iPart of same structure is employed tonrovide :pivots for Supporting the cutting .blades 116- Each .of the cutting blades I6, as ;be st illustrated injEisure fl, .is provided .with an elongated `Slo-til which in 'this ligure is Yshown ,as -off ,rectangular shaper'The rear portion of .the outtingiblades L6 rests upon v the upper Surfaoeotthebasell which is -ooplanar with the top edge surfaces of the combs I5. Received Within the elongated s lot35 is aguideibushing 36 which nasa central opening' therethrough of a size ,to lit closely about but to permit turning relative to the'internally threaded sleeve .28. This construction permits bodily movement of the cutting "blades 'I6 ifromirontto back withrespect 'to thebase I-0 Qrin.other words, longitudinally of v.their' lerieth. At the Sametime, since the bushing 136 is rotatable aboutsthesleeve 2 8, it ,permits rotation of thecutting elements I6 aboutgthe axis established*by'thesleeve28.

superimposed 'over the bushings 3 5 arewashers 40, best seen in 'Figures' and '5. Threaded withinthe upper o pen end o 'f the sleeve "2B are bolts'42,'the;heads '4 3 of'whichprovide a seat'ior compression springs "44. The `springs '44 "bear uponthe washer L40 and' retain 'c utting blades l'IjI and 'bushings 36 Apressed down iirmlyagainst the upper surface ojf fthe base vIll ,andalso cause the forward cuttingedges 'I7 kofthe 'cutting blades '.I 6

to be in accurate sliding and cutting relation with respect to the hollow ground upper surfaces of the combs l5.

In order to impart the specic motion to the cutting blades which enhances their cutting action, the rear ends of each of the cutting blades I6 are connected to an actuating or toggle bar 50, the connection thereto being eected by pivot pins as indicated at 5I'. The toggle bar 56 is supported by short L-shaped links 52 which in turn are mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the base l about pivots 53. It will be observed that the links 52 are relatively short and that as a result of their construction and posi-l tion, the toggle bar 50 is constrained to move only in an arcuate path of relatively short radius, p

which path is convexly and symmetrically shaped and disposed with respect to the rear ends of the cutting blades I6.

Y In order to impart motion to the actuating or' toggle bar 50, a pivoted hand-operated lever 60 is provided, the bar 50 being pivoted to the handle Il by a pivot connection indicated at 63. The lower end of the lever 60 has a. portion 64 loosely engaging in a recess 65 formed at the rear end of the bar 56. It will be apparent that the portion 64 of the lever 6U moves about an arc concentric with the pivot axis 63 whereas the bar 56 moves in a path determined by the arcs of movement of the ends of the short links 5,2. In order to permit this dissimilar movement between the end of the lever 6U and the bar 50, the connection therebetween is relatively loose and the reeess'is shaped so that in the central position illustrated in Figure 1 there is substantial clearance between the end of the lever 60 and the bottom of the recess 65, such clearance being indicated at 66.

With the foregoing structural arrangement in mind, it is apparent that a new and improved cutting action is obtained by this mower. Cutting Vblades I6 not only rock about pivot axes determined by sleeves 28 but this motion has superimposed thereon a bodily sliding movement relative to the xed combs I5. Thus as the toggle or actuating bar 50 is moved in either position from the intermediate position illustrated in Figure 1, its arcuate path causes the cutting blade I6 to rock about fixed pivots and at the same time the blades are caused to move' toward the rear of the base l0, thus inducing a shearing action which is very effective to cut grass, weeds or the like. It will further be apparent that the shearing action is most effective at the time when its benefits are most needed. Thus as the portion of each cutting blade adjacent its tip passes over the xed comb, the shearing effect due to the bodily movement of the cutting blades to the rear is at a maximum.

The novel mechanism for supporting the xed combs l5 rigidly in properly aligned position with respect to the base I0 and for supporting the cutting blades I6 or a simultaneous rocking and reciprocating motion materially increases the economy with which the device may be produced and insures its proper adjustment and accordingly its proper functioning.

While there is illustrated and described a single preferred embodiment of improved hand mower, it` will be appreciated that this full description has been given merely to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the-scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention'is:

v`1. A device ofthe type described comprising a base, a plurality of fixed blades extending forwardly therefrom, cutting blades carried by said base and having lateral cutting edges movable against surfaces of said fixed blades, said cutting blades each having an elongated slot extending generally longitudinally thereof intermediate its ends, pivot pins carried by said base extending through said slots, a bar pivotally connected to the rear ends of said cutting blades, and actuating means for said bar including short links constraining said bar to move in a curved path of relatively short radius.

2. A device of the type described comprising a base, a plurality of xed blades extending forwardly therefrom, cutting blades carried by said base and having lateral cutting edges movable against surfaces of said fixed blades, said cutting blades each having an elongated slot extending generally longitudinally thereof intermediate its ends, pivot pins carried by said base extending through said slots, a bar pivotally connected to the rear ends of said cutting blades, and actuating means for said bar including short links constraining said bar to move in a curved path of relatively short radius, the curved path being symmetrically and tangentially disposed to the pivot connection between said bar and cutting blades.

3. A device of the type described comprising a base, a plurality of xed blades extending forwardly therefrom, cutting blades carried by said base and having lateral cutting edges movable against surfaces of said xed blades, said cutting blades each having an elongated slot extending generally longitudinally thereof intermediate its ends, pivot pins carried by said base extending through said slots, guide bushings surrounding said pins and relatively slidable in said slots, resilient means urging said cutting blades against the surfaces of said xed blades, a bar pivotally connected to the rear ends of said cutting blades, and actuating means for said bar including short links constraining said bar to move in a curved l path of relatively short radius.

,p tending forwardly from said base and having` 4. lA device of the type described comprising a base, a plurality of xed blades extending forwardly therefrom, cutting blades carried by said base and having lateral cutting edges movable against surfaces of said fixed blades, said cutting blades each having an elongated slot extending generally longitudinally thereof intermediate its ends, pivot pins carried by said base extending through said slots, a bar pivotally connected to the rear ends of said cutting blades, actuating means for said bar including short links constraining said bar to move in a curved path of relatively short radius, and an operating handle loosely connected to said bar.

5. In a mower of the type described, a base having slots in its forward edge and a series of openings intermediate said slots, comb blades extending forwardly from said base and having portionsreceived in said slots, said comb blades having pairs of aligned openings disposed below the forward edge of said base, locating .pins extending through said aligned openings and bearing against the underside of said base, a clamping plate beneath said pins, and clamping means cooperating with the series of openings in said base for holding said plate against said pins.

6. In a mower of the type described, a base having slots in its forward edge and a series of openings intermediate said slots, comb blades exportions received in said slots, said comb blades havingforwardly extending fixed blades thereon, A f

a `plurality -of lcutter Lblades individually slidably and 'pivotally mounted on said 'base -a-nd -movable in cutting relation against said iixed blades, a bar'pivotally yconnected-to each of said cutting blades, and actuating means for said bar con- Y straining said'bar to movement'only in a curved path-'off-relatively short radius. f

8. In a mower of the type described, a :base having forwardly-,extending nxed blades thereon,

a plurality of cutter blades individually slidably i .and 'pivotally mounted on said base and movable in'cutting'relation against said kxed blades, a 'bar'pivotally connected to each of said cutting blades adjacent the rear ends thereof, and actuating means for said bar constraining said bar to movement only in a curved path of relatively short radius, said path being related to the pivot mountings of said cutting blades such that transverse movement of all of said cutting blades across said fixed blades in cutting direction is 5,

accompanied by a bodily movement of said cutting blades along said fixed blades in a direction toward said base.

9. In a mower of the type described, a base having forwardly extending fixed blades thereon,

a plurality of cutter blades individually slidably and pivotally mounted on said base and movable in cutting relation against said fixed blades, a bar pivotally connected to each of said cutting blades, and actuating means for said bar including short links pivotally connected between said bar and said base and constraining said bar to movement only in a curved path of relatively short radius.

10. In a mower of the type described, a base ./z"

having forwardly extending fixed blades thereon, a plurality of cutter blades individually slidably and pivotally mounted on said base and movable in cutting relation against said xed blades, a bar pivotally connected to each of said cutting blades, actuating means for said bar including short links pivotally connected between said bar and said base and constraining said bar to movement only in a curved path of relatively short radius,

and an operating lever having a loose connecg tion with said bar for moving said bar.

11. In a mower of the type disclosed, a base having slots in its forward edge and a series of openings intermediate said slots, comb blades in said slots and extending forwardly from said base, said comb blades having aligned openings beneath the forward edge of said base, loeating pins in said aligned openings, a clamping plate beneath said pins, cutting blades each having an elongated longitudinal slot intermediate f' its ends, internally threaded sleeves extending through said slots and seated against said base, screws bearing against the underside of said plate and passing between said pins and threaded into said sleeves through said series of openings, washers surrounding said sleeves and bearing againt said cutting blades, screws in the upper ends of said sleeve, and compression springs between said screws and said washers.

iii)

'12. In a mower of the type disclosed, a base 75 having-'slots its forwardfedgeand .a .series-lof openings intermediate sai-d slots, comb blades 'in saidslots and extending forwardly from said base, said `comb fblades having aligned openings .beneath A'the forward `edge of said ibase, locating pins in said Aaligned openings, a clamping plate -beneath'sai-'dzpins Vcutting blades `each having zan elongated llongitudi-nalfslot intermediate its ends, internally threaded sleeves -extending through said slots and yseatedagainstsaid base, screws bearing against the Yunderside .-of said '.bar and passing 'betweensaid lpins and threaded into said sleeves through saidser-ies of-openings, washers surrounding .said vsleeves and bearing against saidcultting blades, screws inthe upper ends v-oi said sleeves, lcompression springs betweenfsaid Vscrews and said washers, and y,actuating Ameans for effecting-pivotal movement `of saidcutting bflades v.about said vsleeves and bodily movement of `said :cutting blades longitudinally with respect to said sleeves.

13.A mower .comprising a plurality of forwardly extending '.xed iblades, a plurality of inr;clividuall.y Vmovable/cutting blades, ymeans mounting each of said cutting blades for rocking movement transversely of and in cutting relation to` the adjacent fixed blades about a pivot point spaced rearwardly from the front of said cutting blade, and means for effecting forward and rearward translations of all of said cutting blades relative to their pivot points in timed relation to rocking movement thereof, said last means comprising a transverse bar pivotally connected to each of said cutting blades, and link means constraining movement of said bar to oscillation in a curved path.

14. A mower comprising a plurality of forwardly extending fixed blades, a plurality of individually movable cutting blades, means mounting each of said cutting blades for rocking movement transversely of and in cutting relation to the adjacent xed blades about a pivot point spaced rearwardly from the front of said cutting blade, and means for effecting forward and rearward translations of all of said cutting blades relative to their pivot points in timed relation to rocking movement thereof, said last means comprising a transverse bar pivotally connected to each of said cutting blades, and means constraining movement of said bar to oscillation in a curved path.

15. A mower comprising a plurality of forwardly extending xed blades, a plurality of forwardly extending movable cutting blades, means mounting said movable blades for swinging movement from an intermediate position in which they are generally parallel to said xed blades to positions at either side of intermediate position to eifect a shearing action in conjunction with the adjacent iixed blades, said mountmg means comprising fixed pivots for said movable blades and slidable connection means extending longitudinally of said movable blades between each of said xed pivots and the movable blade mounted thereon, actuating means connected to all of said movable blades for swinging said movable blades about their pivots, and for simultaneously moving said blades longitudinally relative to their fixed pivots.

16. A mower as defined in claim 15, in which said movable blades include portions extending rearwardly of the said fixed pivots, and said aotuating means comprises guide means connected to the rearwardly extending portion of all of said movable blades and movable in an arcuate path symmetrically disposed to a front-to-back direction, to provide increased shearing' action and increased leverage as the effective cutting zone approaches the front end of the movable blades.

1'7. A device of the type described comprising a. base, a plurality of fixed blades extending forwardly therefrom, cutting blades carried by said base and having lateral cutting edges movable against surfaces of said xed blades, said cutting blades each having an elongated slot extending generally longitudinally thereof intermediate its ends, pivot pins carried by said base extending through said slots, means pivotally interconnecting the rear ends of said cutting blades to require like movement thereof, guide means comprising short links having their rear ends pivoted to said base, and their forward ends pivoted tocutting blades rearwardly of the pin and slot connections between said cutting blades and said base, and actuating means for movingsaid cutting blades as aforesaid.

18. A mower comprising a base having a plurality of forwardly extending fixed blades thereon, a plurality of elongated movable cutting REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 974,653 Frazer Nov. 1, 1910 1,005,287 Ogden Oct. 10, 1911 

